Watchuseek Blog

Monday, March 14, 2011

Something to sing about: Elton and Chopard raise US$4 million for the Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation

David and Sir Elton pose for pictures before the party

If we’re a couple of days late with this piece of news it's because Elton has been so busy lately he just didn’t have time to call us and let us know about it. The 19th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party hosted as always by Sir Elton John and David Furnish raised nearly $4 million for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The gala, which has become an Oscar Awards institution, took place on Sunday, February 27, at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles and was co-sponsored by Chopard and Jo & Raffy Manoukian.

Guests arrived at the Academy Awards Viewing Party for cocktails followed by a gala dinner and viewing of the 83rd Academy Awards® telecast. The dinner was followed by a lively auction conducted by Jamie Nivens of Sotheby's. Auction items included a five-night stay in Sir Elton John and David Furnish's private Venice residence, which sold for $150,000; and a Taylor Swift concert package including tickets and a meet-and-greet with the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, which sold for $50,0000; in-home cooking class with Chef Ludo Lefebvre, which sold for $20,000. Florence + The Machine took the stage to perform several songs including her hit "The Dog Days are Over". Elton John joined Florence Welch on-stage to perform "Tiny Dancer" and "You Got the Love".

Chopard has built an international reputation for luxurious jewellery designs and impeccably crafted high-precision timepieces spanning 150 years. The Scheufele family, who purchased the company in 1963, continues to foster the brand’s pursuit of quality, creativity, independence, and human respect.

The Scheufele family also regards serving noble causes as a natural duty. At the personal invitation of Sir Elton John, Chopard has supported the Elton John AIDS Foundation for the past ten years. Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director, designed a watch collection in collaboration with Sir Elton John; a testament to their friendship, the watch collection reflects the artist's extravagant personality as well as his tremendous generosity.The Chopard Elton John watch collection features a range of original chronograph watches crafted in 18ct gold. The timepieces are richly set with diamonds and a variety of other precious stones and have enjoyed tremendous success – a good thing too because a percentage of the sales goes towards the Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation.